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Earthquakes

Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery

We develop customized earthquake response and rebuilding plans based on decades partnering with at-risk towns atop restless faults.

Seismic hazards threaten communities situated along active fault lines. These earthquake-prone areas must prioritize disaster planning to minimize quake impacts and expeditiously bounce back when the ground shakes. By getting response protocols and recovery contracting in place before the next big one, we empower communities to swiftly yet equitably rebuild amidst calamity. Our integrated solutions support damage assessments, infrastructure and utility restoration, debris removal, federal assistance consulting, vulnerable resident assistance, seismic retrofitting incentives, and more so towns emerge more resilient.

With seasoned technical consultants supporting preparation and recovery goals, ISC assists high-risk regions to optimally face seismic threats. Partner with our earthquake solutions experts to plan for and recover from destructive seismic events with greater confidence.

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    Can Our Community Effectively Respond to a Damaging Earthquake?

    Earthquakes can strike anywhere, but communities situated along active fault lines are especially vulnerable. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, over 500,000 earthquakes occur worldwide each year, unleashing devastating shockwaves, ground rupture, liquefaction, and tsunamis. Major seismic events like the 1906 San Francisco and 1964 Alaska quakes highlight the existential threats facing towns atop restless faults. As plate pressures grow, risk increases for the next massive temblor along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, New Madrid Seismic Zone, Hayward Fault, and other dangerous continental boundaries. Earthquake-prone regions must prioritize disaster planning and response capacity.

    When major quakes or aftershocks trigger widespread destruction, overwhelm first responders, disrupt critical infrastructure, or endanger lives, impacted communities rely on specialized contractors to augment emergency services and recovery. Assistance may include damage and needs assessments, inspecting structures for occupancy safety, debris removal, route clearance, temporary power and housing, infrastructure repair, geotechnical engineering, permitting for reconstruction, vulnerable resident assistance, seismic retrofitting incentives, and more.

    With the window for the next massive quake impossible to predict, establishing robust contingency contracts with technical specialists allows efficient mobilization when seismic hazards unleash. For communities situated atop restive faults, having experts ready to assist can make the difference between barely coping and confidently bounding back.

    Our Capabilities

    Response Services

    Recovery Services

    Mitigation Services

    PREPAREDNESS SERVICES

    Disaster Software Solutions

    Emergency Management Consulting
    Emergency Management Consulting

    Earthquake Toolkits

    Resources to help you prepare, respond, and recover!

    Contracting Made Easy – Emergency Contract Vehicles

    Following a declared state of emergency, the Federal Government allows local and state government to bypass their standard procurement policies and implement emergency procurement procedures. In times of emergency, understanding these unique contract vehicles can be essential in saving time, money, and resources.

    ISC has expertise working with these unique contract vehicles, which allow us to guide our clients on how to navigate the contracting process easily and expeditiously.

    Contracting with ISC is easy, and a number of pre-established contract vehicles can be utilized to facilitate the procurement process

    Our Experience

    HURRICANE SANDY DISASTER…

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    ISC has supported not only in the development of the regulatory improvements for FEMA HQ, but also in the administration and delivery of the subsequent disaster programs reform. ISC was also instrumental in the implementation of the SRIA Public Assistance Alternate Procedures (PAAP) for Hurricane Sandy (DR-4085-NY) to include 78 Fully Executed Letters of Understanding (LOUs), totaling $9.86 billion (100% fixed capped grant amount). Of this amount $8.87 billion has been obligated to date. ISC mobilized over 100 personnel to help support the disaster recovery efforts of New York State, New York City, the surrounding boroughs and neighboring counties through our FEMA contract vehicle to provide FEMA Public Assistance Technical Support Services.

    HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
    • Accounted for over $143 million in eligible PA funding for Category B: Emergency Protective Measures.
    • Helped implement FEMA & HUD shelter & housing assistance programs reimbursing over $3 billion & $4+ Billion in federal aid for the repair of NYCHA properties.
    • Subject Matter: FEMA PA & PAAP; Disaster Housing.
    hurricane disaster recovery

    ZONE 2 FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE…

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    ISC provides as-needed technical support services to FEMA’s Recovery Directorate within the Office of Response and Recovery (ORR) in support of its mission to provide survivors and communities to include state, tribal, local government, and private non-profit organizations with grants and technical resources can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President.

    HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    • Disaster recovery technical support to states and tribes within FEMA Regions V, VI, and VII.
    • Provided as-needed technical support in implementation of FEMA PA Program and provisions of the Stafford Act to:
      • 79 Disaster Declarations
      • 67 Emergency Declarations
      • 51 Fire Management Assistance Declarations
    • Technical Policy Support of FEMA’s Consensus-Based condes and Standards
    • Technical expertise with Section 428 PA Alternate Procedures
    • Technical Support of FEMA Consolidated Resource Center (CRC)
    • Implemented latest FEMA policies to include $1 Million Small Project Threshold.
    • Routinely recognized by FEMA HQ and FEMA Regions for experience and expertise of staff
    • ISC’s performance under this contract has resulted in multiple term awards since 2004.
    isc fema consultant

    OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY…

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    US Virgin Islands (USVI) Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) selected ISC to help manage over $8 billion in federal disaster assistance, including FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs (HMGP), Federal Highway Administration Disaster Relief Program (FHWA ER), HUD Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), and other federal recovery programs.

    HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
    • Providing oversight of $8+ Billion in FEMA Public Assistance, FEMA Hazard Mitigation, and HUD CDBGDisaster Recovery.
    • Currently managing over 1,500 FEMA Project Worksheets and recovery projects
    • Integrated hazard mitigation and disaster recovery grants for forty-four agencies.
    • Utilized the Odysseus™ Grant Management Tool to track progress and regulatory compliance of hazard mitigation projects.
    • Created customized dashboard reports to provide real-time oversight and monitoring of all recovery projects.
    emergency management consulting

    Odysseus™ Enterprise Cloud-Based Emergency And Disaster Recovery Program Management Software

    A program management software tool, A best-fit technology solutions for organizations and consulting companies.

    The industry’s most powerful and intuitive comprehensive emergency program management and planning system. A complete platform of independent but integrated web-based tools designed to alleviate the burden on planning and preparedness professionals, OES means you can more effectively manage the comprehensive cycle of preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.